diff --git a/pkg/memory/database/sqlite/sqlite.go b/pkg/memory/database/sqlite/sqlite.go
index f0295a99c..515d0df56 100644
--- a/pkg/memory/database/sqlite/sqlite.go
+++ b/pkg/memory/database/sqlite/sqlite.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func NewMemoryDatabase(path string) (database.Database, error) {
 	}
 	// Ensure we close the connection if table creation fails
 	// Note: We don't defer close here because we return the db on success
-	
+
 	_, err = db.ExecContext(context.Background(), "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS memories (id TEXT PRIMARY KEY, created_at TEXT, memory TEXT)")
 	if err != nil {
 		db.Close()
diff --git a/pkg/session/store.go b/pkg/session/store.go
index 4f1770830..3ceb5f902 100644
--- a/pkg/session/store.go
+++ b/pkg/session/store.go
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 	"time"
 
-
-
 	"github.com/docker/cagent/pkg/concurrent"
 	"github.com/docker/cagent/pkg/sqliteutil"
 )
@@ -28,8 +26,6 @@ func convertMessagesToItems(messages []Message) []Item {
 	return items
 }
 
-
-
 // Store defines the interface for session storage
 type Store interface {
 	AddSession(ctx context.Context, session *Session) error
diff --git a/pkg/sqliteutil/sqlite.go b/pkg/sqliteutil/sqlite.go
index b463d2e68..862dfbed9 100644
--- a/pkg/sqliteutil/sqlite.go
+++ b/pkg/sqliteutil/sqlite.go
@@ -34,6 +34,15 @@ func OpenDB(path string) (*sql.DB, error) {
 	db.SetMaxIdleConns(1)
 	db.SetConnMaxLifetime(0)
 
+	// Verify connection works (this will trigger file creation/open)
+	if err := db.Ping(); err != nil {
+		db.Close()
+		if IsCantOpenError(err) {
+			return nil, DiagnoseDBOpenError(path, err)
+		}
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
 	return db, nil
 }